Evans vs. Watkins? Chocolate Vs. Vanilla
May 1st, 2014
Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins? Depends what flavor you like, says NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock.
Joe listened to the two-hour Mike Mayock teleconference this afternoon and it was some kind of awesome to get prepped for the draft. Remember how Joe has been pimping Penn State wide receiver Allen Robinson in the third round? Mayock said that is where Robinson will get drafted.
Yes, Joe actually does research and puts thought into things.
Anyway, Joe knows Bucs fans have worn out their bartenders with non-stop chatter about either their Sammy Watkins fetish or their lust for Mike Evans. These two receivers, Mayock believes, could be sitting on the board when the Bucs pick at No. 7 next week.
So who would you choose? Well, Mayock went all Baskin-Robbins and basically said it depends what flavor you like.
Q. We might be splitting hairs, but with [Mike] Evans and [Sammy] Watkins, in terms of NFL readiness, how they were used in college, whose college résumé caters to them, making a smoother transition knowing the challenges young receivers face.
Mike Mayock: At wideout, the way I look at those two kids, it’s vanilla and chocolate. They make different flavors for different reasons.
The Watkins kid is explosive. He’s a great route runner, great hands, tremendous run after catch. More than anything, he’s a competitor. In addition to all the natural gifts he has, he has an edge about him every game he plays, and I love that.
Mike Evans is more a product of what today’s NFL environment is. Today’s NFL environment, with the advent of the back shoulder throw, has opened up the game for the big wideouts, the 6-5 wideouts. Why? They basically can play outside the numbers and they don’t have to run as many routes and they don’t have to get in and out of breaks like the smaller ones.
They’re running a bunch of outside the number fade routes that become converted back shoulders. Any time you get a one-on-one with a defensive back with his back turned, you get a big, superior athlete, the odds favor the wide receiver.
Mike Evans I think, along with Kelvin Benjamin, some of these other guys, are what today’s NFL is all about. They’re outside the number guys and red zone guys.
However, I happen to think that Watkins is a better football player and that’s why he’s rated higher.
How about that for analysis? Mayock lasted two hours, 75 questions and a p!ss break fielding questions like that. Had the moderator not shut the teleconference down, Joe thinks Mayock would still be answering questions. Dude is a machine.
Joe was stunned to hear Mayock throw out the possibility that both Watkins and Evans are untouched by the time the Bucs are on the clock. Between Evans, Watkins and Johnny Football? Damn.
Have fun with the dreams.
May 1st, 2014 at 6:19 pm
As the picture suggests……BOTH…..double scoop Joe……
May 1st, 2014 at 6:25 pm
#1. Manziel (excitement)
#2. Watkins (excitement)
#3. Evans. ( great talent, but Vincent Clone)
Any choice however improves this team. Go Bucs!
May 1st, 2014 at 6:28 pm
Why did Schiano screw us and win that fourth game.
May 1st, 2014 at 6:45 pm
If both Watkins and Evans are on the board when we pick. It should be a no brainer, Lovie himself should run to the podieum with the card to announce Watkins to the Bucs!
May 1st, 2014 at 6:57 pm
@Eric……..that one extra win will likely keep us from getting Johnny
May 1st, 2014 at 7:06 pm
I agree that Watkins would be the pick if he is there at #7 and highlight tapes can be deceiving. But when I watch the highlight tape of Odell Beckam, the thought of trading down and getting Beckam and two more draft picks is not a bad alternative.
May 1st, 2014 at 7:09 pm
correction: Beckham
May 1st, 2014 at 7:12 pm
1. Watkins
2. Bridgewater
3. Evans
4. Trade down
May 1st, 2014 at 7:12 pm
Patrick …which will make me ecstatic.
For those of you that went to Florida public schools…
ecstatic : feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.
May 1st, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Macabee…I like Beckham too.
May 1st, 2014 at 7:16 pm
Patrick: Good.
May 1st, 2014 at 7:32 pm
@macabee I actually wouldnt mind that beckham is spectcular and draft donte moncrief in the third if he is still there or bryant
May 1st, 2014 at 7:42 pm
@ Eric
Probably because at the time Schiano was far more worried about building momentum for next year and saving his own and his assistant’s jobs then worrying about setting up the next coach with a better draft pick. As or costing us Manziel we might look back one day and be thanking Schiano for (1) getting Freeman out of Tampa, and (2) keeping Manziel out of Tampa. Mike Holgren’s comment about Manziel being a long shot at having long term NFL success should worry people…Holgren might know a thing or two about what to look for in risky gun-slinger QB’s.
May 1st, 2014 at 7:43 pm
damn autospell…make that Holmgren.
May 1st, 2014 at 7:43 pm
@Patrick
Thank You Schiano for Something!
May 1st, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Buc1987
I went to Florida Public schools and I am doing quite well in life. Better than most in fact
May 1st, 2014 at 7:47 pm
Nice NY Bucs Fan.
I concur
May 1st, 2014 at 7:52 pm
There is no way Watkins is there at 7, but if he is, we better run to the podium to make that pick. Realistically, not going to happen. There are 3 guys that I would be blown away if they are still available: Clowney, Watkins, and Manziel. We have a legit chance at everyone else. Even if they aren’t picked by the top 3 or 4 teams, other teams will jump ahead of us to go get them. We aren’t going to trade up IMO. If we don’t go WR with #7, I’d love for us to trade back into the first round and get Brandin Cooks from Oregon State, but unless we trade down from our #7, I don’t think we can do that either. All I know is that I’m sick and tired of mock drafts. May 8 can’t get here soon enough.
May 1st, 2014 at 8:12 pm
Pat lol, false 😉
He wouldn’t be the pick regardless
May 1st, 2014 at 8:15 pm
P.S.
The minute trading down and the Bucs becomes a reality in shutting off my TV and all things Bucs related till the season starts lol.
I hope L&L have the balls to make this a memorable draft to us Buccaneers.
May 1st, 2014 at 8:19 pm
Apologize for being off topic-But I can’t speak about Mike Evans( Who’s Not solid against the press by the way), unless I speak about the guy I seriously want us to draft.
-Missouri’s CB EJ Gaines-
I literally watched this kid shut down almost every single receiver faced; including Evans-EJ Gaines held Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans to only four catches for eight yards!!
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap2000000341332/2014-Draft-profile-CB-E-J-Gaines-Missouri
May 1st, 2014 at 8:27 pm
Watkins all day, Evans has drop problems and is slower. We would have two great wideouts but two great wideout with drop problems.
May 1st, 2014 at 8:28 pm
#5 Missouri vs #21 Texas A&M 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA3oI1WuHZ4
May 1st, 2014 at 8:35 pm
Broy…just wondering. “great wideout with drop problems”
How do you equate drop problems with the word great?
gatrbuc17…1 out of 50 ain’t bad. You’re doing well. Good for you, you’re the exception then.
May 1st, 2014 at 8:38 pm
I guess if my prediction becomes reality we won’t be seeing the name PRBucFan until September then or maybe pre-season.
May 1st, 2014 at 8:49 pm
LUV,
Gaines is a possibility if the Bucs come up with a 4th round pick somewhere. Gaines is a short (5-95/8), but effective press cover corner that is coming off of a pelvic injury. I like him, but would he fit Lovie’s defense – slot maybe? They brought in Phillip Gaines/Rice, but not E.J. Hope he makes it somewhere!
May 1st, 2014 at 8:51 pm
Sammy @ 7
And….PR….I don’t have a problem trading down….what if we traded down and still got your favorite?…..
I don’t think Mack, Clowney or Watkins will be there at 7….but we could trade down and still get a great player….perhaps
Barr, Evans, Ebron, Mosley, Robinson, Matthews, Bridgewater, Bortles, or the controversial Johnny.
What’s so wrong with that?
May 1st, 2014 at 8:59 pm
@Macabee
Yeah, I wish him the best as well. The kid can play any coverage scheme-and size shouldn’t hinder his procession to the next level. IMO He’ll be drafted between the 2nd & 3rd round.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:06 pm
@Macabee
On trading our #7 to San Fran #30 (+Plus Multiple picks)-Something we’ve both discussed. Well San Fran is putting out feelers
-Mike Mayock expects 49ers to move up in first round
“I still believe, with (11) picks, they’re going to trade up”
-Gil Brandt, in a Twitter Q&A earlier this week, also identified the 49ers as a team on the move
Mack, Evans & a Top Corner is high on their list of prospect.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:08 pm
prospect(s)
May 1st, 2014 at 9:10 pm
Im ok with moving down but not to 30. Man that would make Draft Day unbearably long.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:20 pm
@Couch Fan
The value in the draft is in the 2nd in 3rd (Historically). Even more so when you consider all of the underclassmen that have declared. Many of whom, where projected to be top prospect at their prospective positions- in the 2015/2016 Draft.
So why not grab more premium picks?
May 1st, 2014 at 9:22 pm
I agree with trading down like I said. I just would hate to move ALL the way down. But they would have to give up a ton to move up that much. Win win either way.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:28 pm
Even though I’ve read both
Football Perspective, Harvard Sports Collective and Datascope Analytics
I find this to be an interesting view as well-
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014/4/28/5504076/2014-nfl-draft-the-trade-value-chart-is-alive-and-well
May 1st, 2014 at 9:28 pm
You could always trade down to 30, then package some of those picks you gained to move back up. However, I don’t think SF is going to move up that far. The price would be way too steep, but if they want to do it, I’m all for it.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:29 pm
As long as we don’t give up a first round pick to get an all-pro player, then just a year later give up that player for nothing. That would be really stupid.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:30 pm
@Couch Fan
Didn’t mean to sound argumentative my brotha.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Luv,
I heard the 49er rumors before I posted my mock. Too much hype going on now to line the stars up. Could be a smokescreen because they really want somebody in the middle. No more analysis for me, I’m in spectator mode now.
I will say I think they know who they will pick at 7 and have already lined up potential trade partners if necessary to trade down. Licht seemed like he wanted to draft Monday! I think they’re ready now, even said he was bored.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:35 pm
To trade down to 30 we would need to get San Francisco’s 30, 56, 61, 77 & 94
That added to our # 38 & 69 would give us 7 picks in the 1st 3 rounds……that would be OK with me….
May 1st, 2014 at 9:42 pm
@Macabee
I can’t recall a draft with so many moving parts. You can’t be fluent when in situation A, but I stutter in situation B (No Pun JL)-There’s just too many variables to accounted for.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:42 pm
There’s just too many variables to (be) accounted for.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:44 pm
@Tampabaybucfan
We could really set our roster up nicely, if that scenario plays itself out..thats for damn sure.
May 1st, 2014 at 9:47 pm
LMAO kind of sounds like a racist comparisson, would be jokes if Mayock got in shit hahaha
May 1st, 2014 at 9:52 pm
TBBF,
The old draft chart is more of a guideline today. It’s whatever the market will bear. Moving up from 30 to 7 is similar to the 2011 Atlanta trade for Julio Jones. They traded their 2011 1st, 2nd, and 4th plus their 2012 1st and 4th. Now that was rich!
I doubt that the price would be that rich now with a draft that is so deep especially with WRs. But a lesser haul in a deep draft would be worth it!
May 1st, 2014 at 10:08 pm
you know, you ass clowns that complain about “that one extra win shiano got us” make me sick. Why the hell are we watching the game at that point! I for one want no part in any team throwing games for draft picks. That giving up nonsense reeks of the raheem era. Be positive…its a new era
GO BUCS
May 1st, 2014 at 10:11 pm
The Saints officials have got it right. They are flying from N.O. to Las Vegas tonight for a weekend of fun and relaxation. Back to work on Monday. I hope the NFL goes back to April next year. I don’t see what this change helped except increase the sale of Jack Daniels over this weekend. lol
May 1st, 2014 at 11:04 pm
ITS LIKE CHRISTMAS. EVERYONE HAS A WISH LIST. THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR KIDS CHANGES EVERY TIME THEY GO TO SCHOOL. MOST OF THE TIME, THE WISH LIST DOESN’T MAKE SENSE TO THE ADULTS.
ANY OF THIS SOUND FAMILIAR.
May 1st, 2014 at 11:15 pm
I want Evans at 7, but I really, really think they are going to try hard to trade down. Like LUV said there is lots of “value” in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
We all know by now what Licht said about “value” players. I don’t think this because of what LUV said though. We just got through seeing them signing and letting go everyone in sight. Which makes me think they will take that same approach with the draft. Get as many picks as they can get type of mentality. Just like their free agent frenzy they just went on.
It’s almost midnight, so I’m saying it early. 6 more freaking loooong days until the draft!
May 2nd, 2014 at 12:26 am
Trade down for Beckham and extra picks. I love it. I would love the cowboys to trade up to get Johnny Manziel. You bring a circus to a bigger circus.
May 2nd, 2014 at 12:58 am
The Bucs are going WR,QB,OG,DT,LB, and WR. After they trade MG8, DE.
May 2nd, 2014 at 4:41 am
87, I hardly post anymore anyways, i’ve lost major interest here lol.
But I would bet you my house (copy this if you’d like) that the Bucs will end up with a QB from somewhere in this draft.
And TBBF, I just don’t want them to play it safe, if they want to leave a mark on this franchise they need to have some cojones.
Tired of playing it safe.
May 2nd, 2014 at 8:37 am
Guess it depends whose left at #7.
May 2nd, 2014 at 9:39 am
Like Watkins if available (Tedford and Lovie seem to be coveting speed on Offense and he best fits the bill best, game changer).
If not Watkins, then best OL available or trade back and get Anthony Barr, kid is starting to really intrigue me. Great raw athlete who seems to strike better on hits than Mack and he fits what we do better in our Tampa-2- 4-3 defense!
May 2nd, 2014 at 11:27 am
Buc1987 because that’s what they are. Vjack is no doubt a great receiver but tends to drop easy balls. That’s like saying if you’re slow you can’t be a great receiver. False. And vjack is upper tier and drops so you do the math moron
May 2nd, 2014 at 5:08 pm
After reading an interesting article on roto compiling metrics, Mike Evan was the clear winner. Less drop percentage and ran all routes successfully whereas Watkins had more drops and ran mostly screens, like over 80%.
May 2nd, 2014 at 5:27 pm
I’m going out on a limb a say, Brandin Cooks in 2nd or 3rd round…